Proofreading and editing PDF documents have become so easy with the advent of PDF annotation software programs. With this software, you can highlight, add comments, underline, and strikethrough the written content of a PDF document conveniently.
Many educational institutes and businesses find PDF annotation Apps helpful because of the ease they bring to PDF editing. Besides that, there are other amazing features you get to enjoy from PDF annotation Apps. Wondering what they include? Keep reading our top 5 frequently asked questions about PDF annotation Apps to find out!
In this article
Q1. What Is PDF Annotation App?
PDF annotation App is an installable software program compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, iPad, and Android operating systems. It lets you edit/markup your PDF document without distorting the layout.
As earlier stated, a PDF annotation App allows you to perform markup services such as highlighting, underlining, drawing, and more.
Q2. What Are the Characteristics of a Good PDF Annotation App?
With the enormous number of PDF annotating Apps available on the internet presently, selecting a good one can be quite difficult. But there is a way you could go about it as there are certain key factors you need to look out for when selecting a high-quality PDF annotation App.
Below are some of these key factors:
1. Robust Annotating Features: The PDF App must be equipped with high-performance annotating features that you can select from to edit your PDF documents. It must include common annotating features like the highlight tool, strikethrough, underline, drawing, etc. In addition, the App should also have the add notes annotation tool.
2. Conversion Feature Allowing Other Files to PDF for Review: Here is another important factor you need to put into consideration when selecting an efficient PDF annotation App. It's crucial the App can convert between document formats. For instance, export PDF to Word, JPG, Excel, and vice versa.
3. Great User Interface: The user interface speaks a lot about the quality of an App. A good PDF App must have an interactive user interface that anyone can navigate. All features must be properly aligned so you can easily annotate your PDF files.
4. Fast Loading Time: No one wants a PDF annotation tool that takes hours before processing any instruction given to it. So you need to check the processing speed of the PDF App you want to invest in before going for it.
5. Good Customer Service: A good PDF App must also have a helpful support team that is readily available to receive and respond to customers' queries. This team must work 24/7 to ensure customer satisfaction is attained.
6. Compatible With Different Platforms: System compatibility is another thing you need to look out for when selecting a good PDF annotation tool. You must confirm whether or not the tool is compatible with popular computers and mobile devices like Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, etc.
Q3. What Are the Benefits of PDF Annotation Apps?
With the globe shifting toward paperless documentation, you will have to deal with PDF files at one point or the other. Although there are other document formats, PDF is the best. The reason is that PDF document is highly secured such that intruders find them difficult to alter.
The difficulty in alteration is a great thing, however, it does have its demerit. Many end-users feel PDF owners should have the freedom to edit or modify the content of their PDF documents. To cater to this, PDF annotating Apps were created.
PDF annotating Apps play an integral role in PDF modification as they allow you to edit and markup your PDFs with complete ease. You really don't have to stress before adding comments, marking key points, or replacing the texts in a PDF.
Additionally, you can use these tools to create and add stamps, or signatures on PDF documents. Furthermore, PDF annotation Apps permit you to import or create drawings on your PDF files.
Q4. What Are the Best PDF Annotation Apps in the Market?
With the aforementioned key factors in mind, we did research the Internet for an excellent PDF annotation App. Find below the results of our finds:
3 Best PDF Annotation Apps for Windows/Mac
1. Adobe Acrobat
|
Editor's Verdict |
Adobe Acrobat sits at the top of our list as one of the best PDF annotation Apps suitable for Windows and Mac operating systems because of the quality features it holds. The software plays an integral role in PDF annotation as it allows you to create, edit, and convert your PDF files right from your comfort zone. It also allows you to sign PDF documents, and keep track of the progress from anywhere around the globe. Additionally, you can use it to view/read through PDF documents conveniently. |
| Compatibility |
● Windows ● Mac |
| Pricing Plan |
● Adobe Standard: $13.96/mo (Acrobat Standard is not available on macOS) ● Adobe Pro: $21.49/mo for each user |
| Main Annotation Features |
● Image editing ● Signature ● Highlight ● Underline ● Free-hand tools |
| Pros |
● Supports several annotation tools that you can use to edit your PDF documents. ● Allows you to fill and sign PDFs easily. ● Adobe Acrobat Standard exports edited documents directly to your local storage. |
| Cons |
● The majority of the features are available underneath the premium package. ● Premium services/packages are relatively expensive for most users. |
2. Wondershare PDFelement
|
Editor's Verdict |
Wondershare PDFelement is a great PDF editing solution compatible with popular computer operating systems such as Windows and Mac. This top-rated PDF annotation App allows you to perform annotations such as highlighting, underlining, strikethrough, etc. Besides annotation, this software allows you to edit, create, convert, and even merge PDF documents easily. Wondershare PDFelement supports batch processing as it allows you to process multiple PDF documents simultaneously. |
| Compatibility |
● Windows ● Mac ● iOS ● Android |
| Price Planning |
● Yearly: $79.99 ● Perpetual Plan: $129.99 |
| Main Annotation Features |
● Underline ● Highlight ● Strikeout ● Text Callout ● Sticky Notes ● Shapes ● Ready-made & customizable stamps ● Signatures ● Free-hand drawing |
| Pros |
● Wondershare PDFelement performs all operations in seconds without distorting the file quality. ● Supports cloud storage (Wondershare Document Cloud) where you can store your files safely online. ● 24/7 customer support team |
| Con | ● Premium features are only supported in the paid version. |
3. PDF Expert
|
Editor's Verdict |
PDF Expert is a well-known PDF annotation App established to help you edit, convert, and create PDFs. This tool comes with a free-hand annotation feature that you can use to markup your PDF documents. Beginners in the tech space find it easy to operate because of the comprehensive user interface. With PDF Expert, you can perform annotating services such as commenting, highlighting, editing texts, rotating images, etc. |
| Compatibility | ● Mac |
| Price Planning |
● Monthly: $12.49 ● Lifetime: $99.99 |
| Main Annotation Features |
● Free-hand drawing ● Edit and change images, and texts ● Text callout box ● Highlight ● Underline |
| Pros |
● PDF Expert works perfectly on Mac computer systems. ● View, edit, create and merge PDF files ● It offers a fast loading time. |
| Con |
● Incompatible with Windows and Android operating systems. ● It does not support batch processing of files. |
Best App To Annotate PDFs on iPad/iPhone/Android
1. Xodo PDF Reader & Editor
|
Editor's Verdict |
Xodo PDF Reader & Editor hits the first position on our list as one of the most efficient PDF annotation Apps suitable for mobile devices like iPhones and Android. It's a highly innovative tool that allows you to perform multiple operations on your PDF documents without hassles. The App allows you to scan, and transform your documents into PDFs freely. It allows you to view, read, fill out, crop, duplicate, extract, and split PDF files with complete ease. Xodo PDF Reader & Editor is an incredible PDF annotation App. |
| Compatibility |
● Android ● iOS |
| Price Planning | ● Free |
| Main Annotation Features |
● Underline ● Highlight ● Stamps ● Strikeout |
| Pros |
● Xodo PDF Reader & Editor has a simple user interface ● Allows you to highlight, strikeout and underline texts in PDFs ● It lets you create a custom toolbar so you can easily access your favorite feature |
| Cons | ● Some features may be hard to find. |
2. Wondershare PDFelement for iOS/Android
|
Editor's Verdict |
Wondershare PDFelement mobile version is a great PDF annotation tool for iOS and Android owners. This App allows you to organize your PDF documents freely. It provides you with annotation tools like highlight, ready-made & customizable stamps, etc. Additionally, the App comes with free-hand drawing tools such as a pencil & eraser. |
| Compatibility |
● Android ● iOS |
| Price Planning |
● Monthly Plan: $6.99 (iOS) ● Yearly Plan: $29.99 (iOS) ● Free for Android |
| Main Annotation Features |
● Underline/Highlight/Strikethrough texts ● Free-hand drawing ● Add Signatures ● Insert Shapes ● Create Sticky Notes |
| Pros |
● Provides you with an interactive user interface so you can easily find your way around it. ● Generates results faster than any mobile PDF editing solution. ● Convert, merge, compress, and annotate PDF documents with high quality. ● As this PDF annotation APP is compatible with both PC and mobile devices, users can enjoy multi-platform collaboration. |
| Con | ● Some professional features are only available in the paid version. |
3. Foxit PDF Reader
|
Editor's Verdict |
Foxit PDF Reader is an easy yet powerful PDF annotation App. The App provides you with several annotation tools. It allows you to crop, flip, and change the page color of a PDF document. It also supports advanced annotation tools like text callout, highlight, squiggly, text notes, and more. Aside from PDF annotation, you can also use Foxit PDF Reader to view, read, convert, and create PDFs. This App supports real-time collaboration between teams. |
| Compatibility |
● Android ● iOS |
| Price Planning | ● Yearly Plan: $10.99 |
| Main Annotation Features |
● Highlight ● Underline ● Free-hand drawing ● Stamps ● Signatures |
| Pros |
● Supports Android and iOS devices ● Sign, fill out, import/export data, insert images, and more on PDF documents ● Integrates with cloud services like Google Drive, and OneDrive |
| Con |
● Foxit PDF Reader supports limited annotation features in the free version ● Won't allow you to process scanned or image-based files because it has no OCR feature |
Q5. How To Choose a PDF Annotation App?
To choose a PDF annotation App, here are some tips to help you out:
- Assess your needs. Find out what are annotation features you looking for. You cannot choose a PDF annotator based on promising features which do not fit your needs.
- Consider the affordability. Set your budget first. Please keep in mind that your budget must need to cover the price of the PDF annotator, the subscription, and upgrade fees.
- Do research. You can find numerous annotator top lists, like the one we created above. Check the App reviews and get a full understanding of each annotation App.
- Take a free trial. Try the free version to see whether or not the user interface is friendly enough for you to navigate.
- Make the decision. After all of the above steps, you can make the final decision. Don't forget to follow the upgrade news of the PDF annotator App, as most of them will continually release new features.
Having more doubts about PDF annotation and editing apps? Let the video below solve all your problems.